>Gaston County Arrest Records Online

Gaston County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Gaston County, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Gaston County, North Carolina, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, which establishes the state's Public Records Law. This statute mandates that government records, including those related to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Public Records Law serves to maintain transparency and accountability within governmental operations by allowing citizens to access information about law enforcement activities within the county.

Members of the public may request arrest records from various law enforcement agencies operating within Gaston County, including the Gaston County Sheriff's Office and the Gastonia Police Department. These agencies maintain records of arrests conducted within their jurisdictions in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements established under N.C.G.S. § 15A-502.

Gaston County Sheriff's Office
425 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-869-6800
Gaston County Sheriff's Office

Gastonia Police Department
200 E. Long Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-866-6702
Gastonia Police Department

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Gaston County?

Arrest records can be found online in Gaston County through several official digital platforms. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the North Carolina Court System portal, which provides public access to court records, including those related to arrests. This system allows users to search for criminal cases by name, case number, or other identifiers.

Additionally, the Gaston County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate inquiry system that provides information about individuals currently in custody or recently released. This system is updated regularly and includes basic arrest information such as charges, booking dates, and bond amounts.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(a), public agencies may provide electronic access to public records, though they may charge reasonable fees for providing such access. Users of online systems should be aware that while basic information is typically available at no cost, obtaining certified copies or detailed records may require payment of statutory fees.

The Gaston County Courthouse also maintains public access terminals where individuals can search for court records related to arrests without charge during regular business hours:

Gaston County Courthouse
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-852-3100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

How to Look Up Gaston County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Gaston County arrest records in 2025, several methods are available to members of the public. Each method varies in terms of comprehensiveness, accessibility, and associated fees:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies:
- Visit the Gaston County Sheriff's Office or Gastonia Police Department during regular business hours
- Present valid identification
- Complete a public records request form specifying the information sought
- Pay applicable fees for copies (typically $2-5 per page for certified copies)
Courthouse Access:
- Visit the Gaston County Courthouse public access terminals
- Search the Automated Criminal/Infractions System (ACIS) database
- Request assistance from clerk's office staff if needed
- Print records for a nominal fee (typically $0.25 per page)
Online Resources:
- Access the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
- Use the Gaston County Sheriff's Office inmate inquiry system
- Utilize the Citizens Online Police Reporting System for recent incident reports
- Access the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's Criminal History Check service for comprehensive background information
Third-Party Background Check Services:
- Commercial services may provide compiled arrest record information
- Fees typically range from $15-50 per search
- Results may vary in comprehensiveness and accuracy

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), public agencies must respond to records requests "as promptly as possible." Standard processing times for arrest record requests in Gaston County typically range from 1-5 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and the agency's current workload.

Contents of a Gaston County Arrest Record

A Gaston County arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. In accordance with N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, these records generally include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific statutory charges filed against the individual
Case numbers and court docket information
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Bond information, including type and amount
Court appearance dates
Disposition information (if available)

It should be noted that pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502(d), certain juvenile records may be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Additionally, records related to arrests that have been expunged under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-146 will not appear in public arrest records.

The level of detail available in publicly accessible arrest records may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and whether the case remains active. Records of pending cases may contain limited information compared to closed cases with final dispositions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Gaston County

In Gaston County, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A, Article 5. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed entirely.

Eligibility for expungement in Gaston County is determined by several factors:

Nature of the offense (misdemeanor vs. felony)
Disposition of the case (dismissal, acquittal, or conviction)
Time elapsed since the arrest or completion of sentence
Prior criminal history and previous expungements
Completion of any required waiting periods

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation administers the expungement process in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the Courts. To initiate an expungement in Gaston County, petitioners must:

Obtain and complete the appropriate petition form based on the specific statutory provision applicable to their case
File the petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in Gaston County
Pay the required filing fee (currently $175 for most petitions)
Provide certified copies of court records related to the arrest
Submit to fingerprinting if required

Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 1000
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-852-3100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Processing times for expungement petitions typically range from 3-12 months. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to remove those records from public access. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-152, it is unlawful for any person with knowledge of an expunged record to disclose its existence after receiving notice of the expungement order.

Search Arrest Records in Gaston County

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